System and method for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports activities

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. The system is adapted for use with a basketball rim secured to a post or a mount, the basketball rim having a recessed portion. The system includes a retainer ring for insertion within or securing to the recess in the basketball rim; and one or more targets secured to the retainer ring, each target comprising a head portion connected to a stem. The target may be a traditional bullseye, a cartoon character, a letter, a number, among many other examples. In use, a child aims for the target, which is positioned just above the basketball rim, as opposed to the rim itself. In so doing, the child positions the basketball for a successful basket and not a rebound off the rim. The system also is configurable for other youth sports, including soccer and baseball as examples.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/503,814, filed Jul. 5, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. More specific, the present invention relates to a novel device for instructing and reinforcing proper aim in basketball and other sports, and a novel method relating to such implementation.

BACKGROUND

There exist many types of devices for promoting and teaching youth sports. For instance, miniature basketball rims are well known in the art. As an example, Little Tikes® makes and sells a miniature free-standing basketball rim intended for use by toddlers and small children. The rim stands about four feet off the ground, though is adjustable to greater heights.

As another example, Gorilla® brand makes basketball rims that can be lowered by turning a crank to positions of about six feet off the ground, or can be raised to regulation height of ten feet, or any position in between.

These devices accomplish the goals of teaching children how to play certain sports such as basketball by lowering the rim to a height that a toddler or a young child can reach. In other sports, such as baseball, tees are well known in the art for helping children to learn how to bat a ball, as another example.

The prior art devices do not teach children proper aim for throwing or kicking a ball. For instance, in basketball, it is understood by good coaches that one should aim just slightly above the rim and not at the rim. But youth basketball devices do not provide for any indicator of proper aim. Rather, children tend to aim at the bright orange rim, which almost certainly results in a rebound and not a basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an example embodiment of a system is disclosed for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. The system is adapted for use with a basketball rim secured to a post or a mount, the basketball rim having a recessed portion. The system includes a retainer ring for insertion within or securing to the recess in the basketball rim; and one or more targets secured to the retainer ring, each target comprising a head portion connected to a stem. The target is an educational tool that may be a traditional bullseye, a character or cartoon character, a number, a letter, among many other examples. In use, a child aims for the target, which is positioned just above the basketball rim, as opposed to the rim itself. In so doing, the child positions the basketball for a successful basket and not a rebound off the rim. The system also is configurable for other youth sports, including soccer and baseball as examples.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an example embodiment of a method is disclosed for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. The method includes the steps of attaching a retainer ring to a basketball rim, securing one or more targets to the retainer ring, each target having a head portion connected to a stem, the stem retained by the retainer ring. Then, positioning the head portion of each target above the basketball rim at a location wherein aim of the basketball is optimized for shooting a successful basket, and aiming and shooting a basketball at a location immediately adjacent to and above the head portion of a target.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the system and method described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a retainer ring of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view of the retainer ring of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a basketball rim adapted for use for inclusion of the retainer ring of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the basketball rim with the retainer ring of FIG. 1 inserted;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the basketball rim with the retainer ring of FIG. 1 inserted;

FIG. 6 depicts the retainer ring of FIG. 1 with aiming targets placed;

FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary aiming target of an embodiment of the invention generally depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7B depicts an exemplary aiming target of another embodiment of the invention generally depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7C depicts an exemplary aiming target of yet another embodiment of the invention generally depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7D depicts an exemplary aiming target of still yet another embodiment of the invention generally depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention as modified for use with soccer;

FIG. 9 depicts another alternative embodiment of the present invention as modified for use with baseball; and

FIG. 10 depicts the retainer ring generally shown in FIG. 1 as adapted for use with a regulation-size basketball rim.

A skilled artisan will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following Detailed Description of certain non-limiting embodiments of the system and method according to the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill also may comprehend certain of such additional details upon using the system and method described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, in part, is directed to a system and method for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. More specific, the present invention relates to a novel device for instructing and reinforcing proper aim in basketball and other sports, and a novel method relating to such implementation.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a training device 10 is shown for insertion in or attachment to a basketball rim. The training device 10 comprises a retaining ring 12 generally circular in shape, which has holes 14 and 16 for receiving and securing a basketball net. As shown in FIG. 2 , the retaining ring 12 includes holes 18 on the underside for securing the retaining ring 12 to a basketball rim, as one example of fastening. Retaining ring 12 typically is made of a plastic or other molded material, though may be made of aluminum or metal, similar to conventional basketball rim.

As shown in FIG. 3 , a youth basketball rim 20 secured to a post 22 includes a recessed portion 24 for securing the retaining ring 12. The recess 24 may be a shallow lip, as shown in FIG. 3 , or similar, depending on the size and shape of the retaining ring 12. The lip has holes 26 for mating with holes 18 in the retaining ring 12, such that a screw may be used to secure the retaining ring 12 to the rim 20. This is one example of fastening the retaining ring 12 to the rim 20. The retaining ring 12 instead may be press-fit or compression-fit within the recess 24, or may be secured with adhesive or other fasteners such as cable ties, as other examples.

It is important to note that FIG. 3 depicts a youth basketball rim 20, though the present invention is entirely applicable for use with a conventional or regulation basketball rim, which also may be adapted for receiving a retainer ring 12. One way in which the retainer ring 20 may be adapted for use with a regulation basketball rim is by use of different diameter rings, one for youth basketball rims and another for regulation rims. Alternatively, the retaining ring 12 may be adjustable in size, such that it can expand or contract in size. For instance, the retaining ring 12 may have interlocking surfaces that ratchet inwards to reduce the diameter and ratchet outwards to enlarge the diameter, as necessary to fit with any size rim.

Moreover, instead of the retaining ring 12 being sized to fit within a recess 24 of the rim 20, the retaining ring 12 may be sized to be positioned immediately inside of and abutting against the rim 20. In this configuration, the retaining ring 12 may be attached directly to the rim 20 with one or more clips that hold the retaining ring 12 against the rim 20. Alternatively, the retaining ring 12 may be secured to the rim 20 by one or more set screws, or bolts and wing nuts, as examples. One skilled in the art may appreciate additional ways of securing the retaining ring 12 to the rim 20 upon use of the present invention so as to limit the number of parts involved and thereby minimize the installation time and effort.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the retaining ring 12 supports and secures a basketball net 28, which passes through and suspends below the rim 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that loops of the basketball net 28 pass through and secure to one or more of the holes 14, 16 of the retaining ring 12.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a target 30 may be secured to retaining ring 12 for teaching and promoting proper aim among children learning basketball. The target 30 includes a head portion 32 secured to a stem portion 36. The target 30 passes through or secures to a hole 34 in the retaining ring 12. Hole 34 is shown as being generally rectangular, but may be circular or any other shape as suitable for receiving and securing stem portion 36 of target 30. The head 32 may be a target in the traditional sense, such as a circular bullseye, or may be a figure or cartoon character more appealing to younger children. For example, the head 32 is shown in FIG. 6 as being the silhouette of the Disney® Mickey Mouse® character, which is shown for illustrative purposes only.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the target 30 may have a base portion 37 that is sized for fitting within hole 34. One example of base portion 37, as shown in FIG. 6B, is one that is compressible to fit into and lock within hole 34. In this configuration, no additional hardware is necessary for securing the target 30 to the rim 20.

As generally shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the target 30 secures to the retaining ring 12, and may do so by passing through hole 34 with or without hardware. In this arrangement, the stem 36 is flexible and resilient such that it can bend backwards into the center of the rim and then rebound back to an upright position.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the target 30 may be connected to the retainer ring 12 by a hinged or spring-loaded connection 38. In this arrangement, stem 36 is rigid but the entire target 30 bends backward into the center of the rim by pivot at the hinge or spring 38, which forces the target 30 back to an upright position.

As yet another alternative, as shown in FIG. 7C, the target 30 may comprise a head portion 32 attached to a stem 36, the head portion being generally flat to accommodate a sticker or similar indicia for changing what is displayed on target 30. The stem 36 may be of a flexible or resilient material such that it bends somewhat when struck by a basketball but then rebounds and returns to an upright portion. Alternatively, the stem 36 may be of a stiff material to resist impact from a basketball. As one example, the head portion 32 of the target 30 may be configured for use with a Disney®-themed or other cartoon character. As shown in FIG. 7C, the target 30 may further include a grommet 46 or similar component for attaching the target 30 to the retainer ring 12.

As still yet another alternative, as shown in FIG. 7D, the target 30 may comprise a head portion 32 attached to a stem 36, the head portion being generally flat to accommodate a sticker or similar indicia for changing what is displayed on target 30. The stem 36 may be of a stiff material to resist impact from a basketball, with base portion 48 sufficiently sized to provide the stem 36 with support. Alternatively, the stem 36 and base portion 48 may be of unibody construction. As one example, the head portion 32 of the target 30 may be configured for use with a Disney®-themed or other cartoon character. As shown in FIG. 7D, the target 30 may further include a base portion 48 or similar component for attaching the target 30 to the retainer ring 12. The base portion 48 is made of a hard plastic or similar material, and is sized to help the stem 36 resist deflection upon impact from a basketball.

The target 30 may further comprise internal circuitry for activating and powering lights and/or sound effects or music. The lights and/or sound of the target 30 may be activated upon impact from a basketball. For example, if a basketball grazes over the top of a target 30, as would be the situation when a ball is shot with proper aim, then the target 30 may illuminate one color of lights and/or play a specific song or sound effect. As another example, if the basketball strikes the target closer to the base, as would be the situation when a ball is shot with poor aim, then the target 30 may illuminate another color of lights and/or play a different song or sound effect. If the targets 30, in working in unison, detect that a ball passed through the hoop, then the targets 30 may operate in unison to cheer the user on by illuminating certain lighting, together or in sequence, and playing a common song or sound effect.

The target 30 may further comprise internal circuitry for facilitating the interaction of the target 30 with a smart phone application or app. The circuitry of target 30 may be a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) or other integrated circuit or chip capable of interaction with a smart phone via radio frequency, Bluetooth® technology, and the like. The target 30 may provide a smart phone app with certain data relating to the user's performance, such as the number or percentage of basketball shots with proper aim, poor aim, number of successful baskets, and so forth. The smart phone app may be configured to provide further guidance to the user based on the quantitative data provided by the target 30, such as how the user may adjust his or her aim to improve the aim and increase the number of successful baskets.

In use, a child aims for the head 32 of the target 30 when shooting a basketball at the basket, which forces the child to aim just slightly above the rim and not at the rim. By aiming for this spot, the child learns proper aiming techniques for successful basketball shooting. After a child has mastered the aiming technique, the target 30 may be removed, as the child now understands where to aim when attempting to score a basket.

To teach children to aim for particular locations above or about the rim, a plurality of targets 30 may be used wherein each target different from one another to aid in the instruction of calling out targets for the child. For instance, the targets may be numbered, such as “1,” “2,” and “3,” such that the coach or person providing instruction to the child or student can call out, “Aim for target “1,” and so forth. Alternatively, the targets may be different characters, to allow the coach to call out specific targets that the child then aims for while shooting the ball at or just above the target.

The present invention is adaptable for use with other youth sports. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , targets may be secured to a soccer goal 40 to teach children the proper area in which to kick the soccer ball to score a goal. As shown in FIG. 8 , one or more target head 32 is secured to stem 36, which is secured to the goal 40 in a manner similar to that shown and described in FIG. 7 . The positioning of the targets is entirely variable, depending on a desired kick and the coach's instruction.

As another example shown in FIG. 9 , a child may use the present invention to hone baseball throwing skills. For instance, a frame 42 may be used to support one or more target heads 32 secured to stem 36, which is secured to the frame 42. The targets may be positioned to help a child learn proper aim when pitching a baseball to achieve certain positioning of the ball over home plate, as one example.

As another example shown in FIG. 10 , the retainer ring 12 of the present invention 10 may be configured to couple with a regulation-sized basketball rim 20. In this configuration, one or more clips 44 secure the ring 12 to the rim 20. This permits the retainer ring 12 of the present invention 10 to be used in tandem with existing basketball rims that one may have mounted on a garage or posted along a driveway or backyard patio. The retainer ring 12 shown in FIG. 10 includes one or more holes 34 sized to accommodate targets 30, such as those generally shown and described in FIGS. 7A-7D.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended set of claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for assisting a child in learning and improving upon aim in shooting a basketball into a basketball rim secured to a post or mount, the system comprising: a retainer ring operatively connected to the basketball rim, the retainer ring comprising a full circle ring that secures to an inside edge of the entire basketball rim; and a plurality of removable targets secured to the retainer ring, each removable target of said plurality of removable targets comprising a head portion connected to a stem, the stem having a base which passes through an aperture in the retainer ring for securing the stem to the retainer ring; wherein the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets comprises a different character, each of said characters corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring, for directing the child to aim for the specific location when each of said characters is called out by a coach providing instruction to the child; wherein the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets is positioned above the basketball rim at a distance above the basketball rim where positioning of the basketball with respect to the basketball rim is optimized to ensure that the basketball passes over the plurality of removable targets and through the basketball rim.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the retainer ring fits within the basketball ring.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the retainer ring fits on top of the basketball ring, the retainer ring having clips for securing the retainer ring to the basketball rim.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the retainer ring has one or more holes sized for receiving the target stem.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the stem is configured to bend upon impact by the basketball in the instance of poor aim of the shot.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the stem is configured to be rigid to resist impact by the basketball in the instance of poor aim of the shot.
 7. The system of claim 4 wherein the stem has a base portion that is rectangular-shaped and configured to press-fit within the retainer ring.
 8. The system of claim 4 wherein the stem has a base portion that is cylindrical-shaped and configured for insertion within the retainer ring.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the head portion has printed indicia selected from the group consisting of letters, numbers, and cartoon characters.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the head portion has internal circuitry to power one or more light sources protruding from a portion of said one or more targets, said light source configured to illuminate upon detection of the basketball.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the head portion has internal circuitry and a sound source, said sound source configured to play a sound effect or song upon detection of the basketball.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the head portion has internal circuitry operatively connected to a smart phone device, said internal circuitry communicating data to the smart phone relating to the child's shooting performance.
 13. A method for improving a child's aim in shooting a basketball into a basketball rim secured to a post or mount, the method comprising the steps of: securing a full circle retainer ring to an inside edge of the entire basketball rim; securing a plurality of removable targets to the retainer ring, each removable target of said plurality of removable targets having comprising a head portion connected to a stem with, the stem having a base passing which passes through an aperture in the retainer ring for securing the stem to the retainer ring; securing a head portion to each stem of said plurality of removable targets, each said head portion comprising a different character, each of said characters corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring; positioning the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets above the basketball rim at a distance above the basketball rim where positioning of the basketball with respect to the basketball rim is optimized to ensure that the basketball passes over the plurality of removable targets and through the basketball rim; and aiming a basketball at a location immediately adjacent to and above the head portion of a specific target as identified by said character corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring and shooting said basketball at said aimed location.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: providing the head portion with an internal circuitry to power one or more light sources protruding from a portion of said one or more targets, and illuminating said light source upon detection of the basketball.
 15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: providing said one or more targets with an internal circuitry and a sound source, and playing a sound effect or song upon detection of the basketball.
 16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: providing said one or more targets with an internal circuitry operatively connected to a smart phone device, and communicating data from said one or more targets to the smart phone relating to the child's shooting performance. 